(Radio Iowa) – There are more than 470-thousand Catholics in Iowa, most of whom will be watching closely as cardinal electors convene in the Sistine Chapel starting today (Wednesday) for the secretive conclave to choose a new pope. University of Iowa religious studies professor Kristy Nabhan (NAB-han) -Warren says millions of dollars in contracts are being traded in online prediction markets as people bet on the next pope’s identity.

For centuries, there’s been enthusiastic speculation about the picking of a pontiff, but betting on the outcome could be grounds for excommunication.

Kristy Nabhan-Warren

Nabhan-Warren says the papal selection process is fascinating to millions around the globe, and she predicts many Iowans will be keeping an open screen on their computers or phones to watch that famous chimney in Vatican City.

Pope Francis, who died April 21st at age 88, was the first Latin American pope and the first pope from Argentina. Nabhan-Warren says his influence will be evident as a successor is chosen.

Francis was also the first pope to be a Jesuit, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th century — Syrian pope Gregory III.